Zverev, Carreno Busta to clash in US Open semifinal

Alexander Zverev and Pablo Carreno Busta will play their semifinal on Saturday

carreno-busta-zverev-ap-reu Pablo Carreno Busta; Alexander Zverev | AP; Reuters

Germany’s Alexander Zverev overcame Croatia’s Borna Coric in the quarterfinal of the US Open to set up a semifinal clash against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta who defeated Canadian Denis Shapovalov on Tuesday.

Zverev, who was unnerved after struggling in the first set, turned the match around and claimed a 1-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (1), 6-3 victory over Coric despite being done in by 12 double faults.

The 23-year-old German later acknowledged that the way he played in the beginning was “not the level for the quarterfinal match in a grand slam”.

Coric, too, admitted that he felt like he was in charge of the match as Zverev wasn’t playing his best tennis. However, Zverev’s game got aggressive as the match progressed, helping him cement his semifinal berth.

“I thought to myself I’m down 6-1, 4-2, I have nothing to lose at the moment,” Zverev said.

Meanwhile, Carreno Busta overpowered Denis Shapovalov 3-6 7-6(5) 7-6(4) 0-6 6-3 after a seesaw battle for nearly four hours to advance to his second US Open semifinal. In the deciding set, the 29-year-old fought back to establish his dominance and claim the semifinal berth.

The Spaniard had been through to the quarterfinal after world number one Novak Djokovic was disqualified from the tournament for accidentally hitting a line official on the throat with a tennis ball during their fourth round match.

With the disqualification of Novak Djokovic, in addition to the absences of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the men’s title chase at the US Open has been blown wide open. A new generation of younger men are now vying to win their first grand slam title at Flushing Meadows.

(With inputs from agencies)

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